Timers for real time games

[BrianPe]

A lot of players here are middle aged with family. It can be hard to squeeze in a real time game between family, work and duties. What makes this extremely hard is not knowing how long a game takes. A game of Terra Mystica can take anywhere between 45 min and 3 hours, which is a challenge.

It would be awesome if the games always took roughly the same time or at least had a manageable maximum that is not more than 1½ hour. I suggest that each players gets a timebank of 20 min. In this way a game will take max 80 min. Since some players might be too slow, then rather than getting kicked, they could get penalty points. 1 point for each minute. The problem with this solution is that AFK players will take a long time to timeout.

Idk what the best solution is, but it would be great if a game of Terra Mystica didn't last longer than 80 min.

[sprockitz]

the possibility of two timer sets would work well. you have a max total time of 20 minutes (or whatever) that time doesn't get added to. then you also have the per turn timer so you timeout after 3 minutes (or whatever) if you don't take a single move.

[Grunman]

There is also a different type of time control in Go, which is called Canadian byo-yomi (although the last word is Japanese)

There is a time period of time in which you have to make a number of moves, let's say 5 minutes/15 moves. It lets you use your time more flexible and spare some time when you make a 3 seconds move, while giving you more time to think when needed.